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OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY 8 P/1 4' 48 C
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TO: Honorable Mayor .;j. Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge L. Fernan
DATE: January 18, 2
RE: Proposed Resolution January 24, 2008 City Commission Meeting
Authorizing the City Attorney to retain law firms to provide special counsel
services to the City on an as -needed basis in connection with the various
agreements and projects contemplated under the Interlocal Agreement between
the City, Miami -Dade County, Southeast Overtown Park West CRA and OMNI
Att
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CRA.
08
Matter 06-2296
File No. 08-00062
The attached Resolution seeks authorization from the City Commission to authorize the
City Attorney to retain the law firms of Lyons and Smith, P.A., Gray Robinson, P.A., Squire
Sanders and Dempsey, Akerman Senterfitt and two other firms yet to be determined, to provide
special counsel services to the City on an as -needed basis in connection with the various
agreements and projects contemplated under the Interlocal Agreement between the City, Miami -
Dade County, Southeast Overtown Park West CRA and OMNI CRA, with said firms to be
compensated in amounts to be negotiated by the City Attorney and requiring the City Attorney to
provide monthly reports to the City Commission of all fees and costs associated with the
engagement of special counsel as authorized herein.
Background:
On December 13, 2007, the City Commission adopted Resolution 07-0716, thereby
authorizing the City Manager to execute the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Miami,
Miami -Dade County, Southeast Overtown Park West CRA and Omni CRA. This agreement is
commonly known as the "Global Agreement." The Global Agreement contemplates the
expenditure of almost 3 billion dollars in funds and includes projects such as the Port of Miami
Tunnel, a proposed Marlins Stadium, a Museum Park, and a streetcar system using
redevelopment dollars and tourist and convention development tax revenues.
The volume and complexity of legal issues related to all these projects will require from
time to time the assistance of outside counsel. Accordingly, the Office of the City Attorney will
be issuing a Request for Qualifications soliciting statements of qualifications from interested 'and
qualified attorneys and their firms interested in providing special counsel services to the City, in
several specific areas of expertise, including but not limited to advising public entities in the
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105278
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
January 18, 2008
Page 2
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structuring, development, finance and operation of large capital projects, fi Est ng and
negotiating public -private partnership agreements, tax -increment finance doEl.iints, 1esign-
bui]d contracts and procurement documents, and advising the City with respect to insurance
issues, innovative financing and environmental issues.
At this time authorization is being requested to retain the firms specified herein due to the
immediacy of the ongoing negotiations relating to the Baseball Stadium Project.
Funds for said fees and expenses are allocated from the Non -Departmental Account Code
No. 00001.980000.531010.0000.00000.
JOB/mg
cc: Pedro G. Hernandez , City Manager
Elvi Gallastegui, Agenda Coordinator
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